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Doxycycline

Is doxycycline still the drug of choice for early tick bites? I'm planning a section hike & my doctor is pretty nice about giving me antibiotics to carry in case I'm bitten. Has anything changed in the world of tick bite drugs?

Ask 10 doctors about the wisdom regarding a prophylactic course of Antibiotics after a tick bite (no symptoms) and you will likely get 10 answers.

Sort of like asking a financial advisor what the “best” investments are for your future.

Good idea to have a plan of action in place BEFORE you reach a decision point. In the not too distant past, one important factor on whether to take antibiotics (and if you decided to, just a couple or a full course) was how long the tick was embedded. Thinking on that may have changed. Another factor is what geographical location you got bit in. Easier to study up now and have a mental decision tree on what to do, than to try and figure e erythimg out in the woods.

Doxy is the drug of choice. I know too many NY'ers who have been recently bitten and that's what they're all getting and what you'd get if you went to urgent care here. One of my friends who got bitten is the wife of an ER doctor. She got the Doxy.

An once of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Consider treating your clothes with Sawyers or sending them off to Insect Shield because not getting ticks in the first place is the best way to deal with tick borne diseases.

An once of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Consider treating your clothes with Sawyers or sending them off to Insect Shield because not getting ticks in the first place is the best way to deal with tick borne diseases.

Agreed, however Rick is right insofar as Lyme recearch and recommendations have changed much over the years and not all medical professionals are up to date, particularly if they are not in an area where Lyme is endemic.

There is some merit to inquiring with a group like this to find what advice others have been given by their doctors. With the caveat that nothing should be relied upon until it has been separately verified and discussed with a medical professional.

Agreed, however Rick is right insofar as Lyme recearch and recommendations have changed much over the years and not all medical professionals are up to date, particularly if they are not in an area where Lyme is endemic.

There is some merit to inquiring with a group like this to find what advice others have been given by their doctors. With the caveat that nothing should be relied upon until it has been separately verified and discussed with a medical professional.

The tricky thing about antibiotics is what is best for society as a group, might not be best for any one individual.

Doctors come down differently on how to find a balance.

Do you want a Doctor who errs on the side of your health, or on the community’s health?

Or one that just follows the CDC’s latest recommendation?

Those who see their go-to Doctor as an all-knowing oracle of truth and wisdom, are likely folks who have never experienced serious health issues.

........Those who see their go-to Doctor as an all-knowing oracle of truth and wisdom, are likely folks who have never experienced serious health issues.

I hear you. A good doctor knows the limitations of their knowledge and experience and seeks more knowledgeable sources when they reach the edge of their experience and knowledge. To do otherwise is a disservice to their patient and themselves.

I make it a point not to take antibiotics unless it's absolutely necessary.So far I have had two tick bites that required treatment.I now treat my clothes with permethrin and also take some supplements which I believe repel mosquitoes at least.